NHA accords priority to communications projects
Staff Reporter
Sunday, September 23, 2012 - Islamabad—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Saturday urged National Highway Authority (NHA) to accord priority to communication projects in Balochistan so that it could be integrated with rest of the country by accelerating economic activity.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review the progress of mega projects of NHA at Prime Minister’s House.
He said that projects, which are near completion, should be completed on fast track basis so that the burden on PSDP is minimized. Early completion of these projects, he added, is essential to minimize the impact of inflation.
The Prime Minister said that government gives highest priority to development of road infrastructure, essential for economic prosperity of the country. The government, he said, during the past four and half years had initiated a number of road development projects which are now near completion.
Minister for Communication, Dr. Arbab Alamgir apprised the Prime Minister that NHA has initiated 79 mega projects amounting to over Rs. 600 billion across the country. Out of which 33 projects are being executed in the Punjab, 17 in Sindh, 14 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 in Balochistan and three in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr Arbab said that on-going mega projects of Faisalabad-Khanewal -Multan (M-4) in the Punjab, Lyari Express in Sindh, Naran-Jhalkand N-15 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kalat-Quetta-Chaman N-25 in Balochistan and West Bank Bypass in Muzaffarabad, would be completed by the end of this year.
Referring to work on Attaabad Lake Project, the Prime Minister said the Project came under discussion during his recent visit to China. The Chinese Premier assured that Government of China will ship all necessary equipment to Pakistan to ensure that work is carried out as per international standards and completed timely.
The Prime Minister said that keeping in view the importance of the Project, he would visit Attaabad Lake site, once necessary equipment and mobilization is completed.
He also directed Ministry of Communications to expedite the work on Lowari Tunnel. It is a very strategic project as its completion would open access to Tajikistan, an important Central Asian State, he added.
Soon after the meeting, the Prime Minister left for a two-day visit to flood-affected areas of Southern Punjab and Balochistan. He will also give away cheques to the victims of fire incident in Karachi, on Saturday night.
The meeting was attended by Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ch. Saeed Iqbal, Parliamentary Secretary, Babar Yaqoob Fateh, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Syed M. Ali Gardezi Chairman NHA, Raja Nowsherwan Sultan, Member Planning NHA, Maj Gen Obaid Ullah Khan IG FC, Maj Gen Javed Mehmood Bokhari DG FWO and the Secretaries of relevant Ministries.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review the progress of mega projects of NHA at Prime Minister’s House.
He said that projects, which are near completion, should be completed on fast track basis so that the burden on PSDP is minimized. Early completion of these projects, he added, is essential to minimize the impact of inflation.
The Prime Minister said that government gives highest priority to development of road infrastructure, essential for economic prosperity of the country. The government, he said, during the past four and half years had initiated a number of road development projects which are now near completion.
Minister for Communication, Dr. Arbab Alamgir apprised the Prime Minister that NHA has initiated 79 mega projects amounting to over Rs. 600 billion across the country. Out of which 33 projects are being executed in the Punjab, 17 in Sindh, 14 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 in Balochistan and three in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr Arbab said that on-going mega projects of Faisalabad-Khanewal -Multan (M-4) in the Punjab, Lyari Express in Sindh, Naran-Jhalkand N-15 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kalat-Quetta-Chaman N-25 in Balochistan and West Bank Bypass in Muzaffarabad, would be completed by the end of this year.
Referring to work on Attaabad Lake Project, the Prime Minister said the Project came under discussion during his recent visit to China. The Chinese Premier assured that Government of China will ship all necessary equipment to Pakistan to ensure that work is carried out as per international standards and completed timely.
The Prime Minister said that keeping in view the importance of the Project, he would visit Attaabad Lake site, once necessary equipment and mobilization is completed.
He also directed Ministry of Communications to expedite the work on Lowari Tunnel. It is a very strategic project as its completion would open access to Tajikistan, an important Central Asian State, he added.
Soon after the meeting, the Prime Minister left for a two-day visit to flood-affected areas of Southern Punjab and Balochistan. He will also give away cheques to the victims of fire incident in Karachi, on Saturday night.
The meeting was attended by Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ch. Saeed Iqbal, Parliamentary Secretary, Babar Yaqoob Fateh, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Syed M. Ali Gardezi Chairman NHA, Raja Nowsherwan Sultan, Member Planning NHA, Maj Gen Obaid Ullah Khan IG FC, Maj Gen Javed Mehmood Bokhari DG FWO and the Secretaries of relevant Ministries.
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